The Ministry of Defence has ordered additional Land Ceptor air-defence missiles, expanding the Army’s ability to shoot down missiles and drones. The £118 million investment will double the number of Land Ceptor systems available and they can be deployed in the UK or overseas.

The new equipment forms part of Sky Sabre, the MoD’s air-defence system that intercepts munitions and aircraft. The MRAD (medium-range air defence) system is manufactured by MBDA in Bolton. The Government said the move will support about 140 UK jobs. Land Ceptor missiles can hit a tennis-ball-sized object travelling at twice the speed of sound. Sky Sabre can control 24 missiles at once and operates with radar and a wider command-and-control centre, though it can operate on its own.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the investment backs the strategic defence review by equipping the armed forces with leading-edge equipment to keep the country safe. Doubling deployable Sky Sabre capacity will strengthen air defences, protect UK forces abroad and deter adversaries, he added. The Government said around 140 UK jobs would be supported by the move. The MoD said Sky Sabre has been tested in a Nato exercise in the Outer Hebrides and is already deployed in Poland as part of Nato operations. Lt Col James Boutle, commanding officer of the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, said Sky Sabre represents a step change in the UK’s ground-based air-defence capability and that the Army works with MBDA to keep the system at the forefront of technology.